Do You Really Know All About Jamaican FOOD???

Tasty Jamaican Patty

Jamaican food is all about fusion, spice and fun. It’s about eating well and having a good time with people you care about. That’s the island tradition, and it’s just as alive today as it was throughout history when Jamaica’s unique food story was developing.

While Jamaican fare and Caribbean food in general has a reputation for being hot and spicy, it can be many things. Thoroughly seasoned, well cooked and displayed in a beautiful manor.

The cooking techniques, spices and influences of Jamaica’s people form the basis of Jamaican food, but British, Spanish, Indian, African and even Chinese inhabitants of the country have all left their mark on Jamaica’s tasty fare.

In fact, if you try to look up Jamaican food online, you’ll find many different kinds of offerings, depending on whose writing the recipe or offering the products. It’s no wonder that Caribbean food stores both online and off stock such a wide variety of Jamaican food products.

Even the new crops introduced onto the island from tropical lands in Southeast Asia play a role in defining today’s Jamaican food. The county’s own unique tropical fruits and plentiful seafood further identify Jamaican food and today’s Jamaican food products.

Getting to know Jamaican food gets you in touch with an amazingly diverse and interesting culture.

Expand your horizons by enjoying saltfish, fried dumplings or even fried plantains — which taste and look like their close cousins, the banana. Even steamed cabbage is a Caribbean food.

Simple and highly seasoned rice and peas is another Jamaican favorite. So are fruit juice drinks and yes, even Jamaican rum has a fan or two.

Have you tried curried goat?

You may not have, but it’s more likely you’ve had jerk chicken, another specialty from Jamaica.

If you look around at Jamaican food online sites, you’ll see lots of talk about Jamaican patties — hardy, full-meal meat turnovers that are somewhat like a differently seasoned Mexican empanada. Its fun to make your own, but you can also order them over the Internet and have them shipped overnight from Caribbean food shops.

When it’s time for dessert, try some potato pudding, a spiced-coconut gizzada tart, some grater cake, a banana fritter or a couple of coconut drops. They’re all traditional Jamaican sweets that are just as enjoyable as they sound.

Jamaican food has gained understanding and high regard around the globe, this is due to many Jamaican’s relocating to different parts of the world.

Considering how tasty Jamaican food, with its highly seasoned fare and worldwide influences is, it’s not surprising that this food has found its way around the world. It’s good food from good people.

Guest Editor: Janice howdidyoucookthat.com

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